11th-12th century AD. A bronze openwork appliqué or brooch frame formed as two figures standing side-by-side, one male with short tunic and one hand on his chest, the other female with ankle-length robe holding flowers(?) to her chest; the feet of both resting on a sleeping feline with head turned to face the viewer; hole to the male's hip to accept a securing stud or brooch pin; accompanied by a custom-made stand. For the design see Oldtidens Ansigt, Det kongelige Nordiske Oldskiftselska og Jysk Arkaeologisk Selskab, 1990, p.134, 138.26.4 grams total, 98mm including stand (4"). From the family collection of a UK gentleman, by descent in the early 1970s; previously acquired before 1960. The figures presented may represent the brother-and-sister deities Freyr (Lord) and Freya (Lady), and Freya's totemic animal the cat. The crossed hand on the chest is a puzzling symbol, possibly symbolising the gesture of a specific god, ritual act or blessing. Another similarity can be observed on rock art in Scandinavia, especially the image of a 'divine couple', a strong motif known from the late Iron Age depicted on many golden sheets called guldgubbers. Several scholars argue that this image represents the marriage of the god Freyr and giantess Gerd; however, it may also represent the union of Freyr with his sister Freya. [No Reserve]